Pierre Asks Judge To Dismiss Stun Gun Lawsuit

Pierre officials want a judge to dismiss a federal lawsuit claiming excessive use of force by a police officer who shot an 8-year-old girl with a stun gun.

The response filed by the city, its former police chief and four officers says they are immune from being sued. It also denies that police used excessive force.

Authorities say the officer shot the girl with the stun gun last October because she was suicidal and brandished a knife. The state Division of Criminal Investigation later concluded that the officer was justified in using his Taser on the girl because it was the safest method to defuse the situation.

The girl's mother, Dawn Stenstrom, is seeking unspecified damages for what she claims in her lawsuit is a violation of her daughter's rights.